Meet The Authors-part 6

There is a feeling, even here on Gather, of eeeew, Romance. I've heard people refer to the ‘stigma' of being a romance writer, seen variations of that theme in comments of entry threads: I don't read romance. As I mentioned in my last article, Romance is an ever-changing genre that has evolved. Today, Romance is one of the top moneymaking genres of the fiction publishing industry. Does that surprise you?

I did some research on Romance industry trends, and RWA did an interesting study on Romance stats and they aren't the only association that has conducted studies on trends, but it was comprehensive. For example, did you realize that Romance fiction (this includes various sub-genres) commands 54.5% of all popular fiction sold in North America? We're talking a 2 billion dollar industry. Sixty-three percent of romance readers have attended college and the majority of the writers here have attended college. Stigma? Excuse me, what stigma?

Romance fiction tops the list in choice of entertainment, so fortunately I have some romance writers to introduce.

Let me introduce an author who is no stranger to entering contests and in fact has been a four time RWA Golden Heart finalist, and author of Better Late Than Never, Theresa Ragan. http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=281474977126575

Theresa Ragan has been a stay at home mom for fifteen years now. She is happily married and has two boys and two girls between the ages of 15 and 27. She contributes regularly to the Wet Noodle Posse at www.wetnoodleposse.com. Theresa has been a member of Romance Writers of America since 1997. She is a four-time RWA Golden Heart finalist (a contest for unpublished romance writers). It took Theresa four attempts before she finaled for the first time in 2003. She knows a lot about determination and perseverance, which she believes are two characteristics that will eventually see her published. You can visit her website at www.theresaragan.com.

When did you decide you wanted to write?

I always liked to write poems in my angst-ridden teenage years, but I knew I wanted to write a book when I was pregnant with my fourth child. On leave of absence from work and bored out of my skull, I read Jude Deveraux's A Knight in Shining Armor. By the time I finished the book, I decided to write my own medieval time-travel. It took me five years to research and write that first 450 page book, but I have since finished five more books and dozens of partials

Why did you choose the style or the sub-genre?

After writing two medieval time travels, I started writing romantic comedies because those are the books I love to read. Susan Elizabeth Phillips and Rachel Gibson are two of my favorite authors. SEP's Nobody's Baby But Mine and RG's See Jane Score are two of my favorite books.

I definitely noticed the similarlity in your entry to the tone of Susan Elizabeth Philips.  She is also one of my favorite writers. 

What's your favorite line of your own chapter?

I'm sort of fond of the scene where Sarah is cleaning out his fridge, lecturing Max about high cholesterol, and he grabs the hotdogs from her and says, "Frankly, my dear I don't give a damn." It makes me smile and I think of Clark Gable every time I read it.

When do you find time to write?

I try to write three to five pages a day, usually between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. I still have two kids at home and I do have to get better at saying, "no." For instance, for the past two weeks I've had the freshman class in my backyard building the freshman float. I usually unplug the phone before I start writing, and I can't remember the last time my furniture was dusted.

How did you find the contest?

A writer friend of mine who has written a book about her experience with Leukemia e-mailed me about the contest here at Gather.com. That was the first time I had ever heard of Gather. I let that e-mail sit in my inbox for about a month before I finally looked into it and decided to give it a shot. I love it here at Gather!

What are your plans after the contest?

I plan to keep on doing what I've been doing for the past twelve years or so. Write one book a year and keep sending out queries until I finally get lucky.

What do you do when you're not writing?

I run on the treadmill, ride my bike, play the piano, talk to my husband, drive my youngest to dance and school, and dole out advice to my other children whenever they call or stop by.
What are your goals as a writer? To reach out and grab someone, share emotions, tell a story?

To entertain. To take readers away from the drama and realities of every day life, if only just for an hour of fun and adventure.

Tell us something we don't know about you that we might find interesting?

In January of 2007 I watched The Secret and it changed my life. WHAM! Suddenly the grass was greener. I have learned to love myself and every day feels like a gift. To read my article on "How a positive attitude can change your life" go to: http://www.wetnoodleposse.com/archives/May_07/livingwell.html

You've set your book with a Football hero, do you like football?

I loved watching my son play football in high school, but other than that I watch the Super Bowl, but that's about it. I love writing about alpha males, and football players seem to fit the mold. More than the game itself, I do enjoy watching the players run around in those snug-fitting uniforms.

I would imagine if you get into the game itself, in your book, the jargon of it, you would have had to do some research to set it properly?

I needed more help with researching my heroine who is a nutritionist. Before I started writing, I bought The complete IDIOT'S guide to Total Nutrition and Controlling Cholesterol for Dummies. I also bought "Football for Dummies," since my husband can't seem to look away from the football game long enough to help me out.

Theresa I thank you for taking time out of your schedule to speak with me.

This has been loads of fun!  Thanks for inviting me.

Let's move to Maggie D an author of of few words, except when she is writing.  Her entry has a rather provocative title, Painting Naked.  http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=281474977126694

Maggie D, is a Brit who lives in New England. She has three children, five grandchildren, and is happiest helping her daughter rebuild the barn for her three horses.

I had wondered whether you were English after reading your entry.  There is a decided English feel to your phraseolgy and the understated, dry sort of humor.  Good guess for the kid. 

When did you decide you wanted to write?

Around 8 years old, but I didn't produce a viable novel until many decades later.

Why did you choose the style or the sub-genre?

I knew nothing about genres (sub or otherwise) when I wrote my novel. I called it women's fiction a coming-of-middle-age story  the stuff I enjoy reading.

What's your favorite line of your own chapter?

Clung to his arm like a cheap dress.

When do you find time to write?

Whenever I'm not working (I'm self-employed), digging in my garden, designing quilts and totebags, hanging out with the kids. or mucking out my daughter's barn.

How did you find the contest?

On a writer's board.

What are your plans after the contest?

Sleep.

What are your goals as a writer? To reach out and grab someone, share emotions, tell a story?

Nahh, I just love to write, and getting published would be the cherry on top.

Tell us something we don't know about you that we might find interesting?

Years ago, I worked in the British film industry. I was young and clueless and got chased around a sound stage by Dickie (now Sir Richard) Attenborough. If he'd been tall and handsome I might've let him catch me.

Why did you choose the title, Painting Naked?

Well, there' a fairly good reason in Chapter 1 and an even better one in Chapter 14.

My final author today, is Kristen Wallace, Here Comes The Wedding Planner, and Inspirational Romance. http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=281474977126664

Kristin Wallace lives in sunny Miami, Florida. She's always been a book junkie, starting with the Little House on the Prairie and Nancy Drew series. She got her first taste of writing fiction when she entered a Ghost Story contest sponsored by The Miami Herald. She started scribbling romance stories on notebook paper when she was in high school and never really stopped. She attended Florida State University, where she was a Theatre major. It took over a decade before she realized the writing bug was not going away. Three years ago she decided to pursue a writing career. Now, she's working on completing her third manuscript and is still awaiting...the call.

When did you decide you wanted to write?

I tried getting published several years ago right after college, but didn't get anywhere. I put it aside and went back to school. About three years ago I realized this silly dream wouldn't die so I jumped back in again.

Why did you choose the style or the sub-genre?

I think it chose me. I've always enjoyed romantic comedies. (I can't do alot of angst, lol.)  I started out writing what you might call Chic Lit.  I had an idea for a story about a cynical single woman who literally hates weddings having to take over a wedding planning business.  I thought it would be funny.  Then I started thinking about who the romantic interest would be. I knew it would have to be someone she'd run into a lot.  Then it hit me...A minister.  It was a light bulb moment.  Finding that character (Seth, if you've read the chapter) changed everything.  It changed not only the story, but my writing and it led me to the inspirational genre.  I added a spiritual element for Julia.

The ease and comfort in which you talk about God and faith, tells me you are a woman of faith yourself.  So this story intended for an Inspiration lmprint?

Yes, it's an inspirational.  If a secular publisher liked it and wanted to publish it I could certainly tone some of the religious talk down.

Inspiration is a growing market.  Lot of interest in it.  So you've taken a very worldly, heart sore young woman in desperate need of healing on several levels and make her your heroine. What made you choose that type of heroine?

Well, I liked the idea of a cynical woman being confronted by all the things she's skeptical about.  Love, marriage, and faith.  When I decided to make the love interest a minister I thought it would be interesting to have Julia go on a spiritual journey as well as a romantic one.  I was interested in presenting the inspirational elements in a way that wouldn't beat people over the head or preach to them.  Adding the humor made it easier.

What's your favorite line of your own chapter?

Oh gosh. There are many.  I will tell you I wrote a scene where Julia overhears Seth practicing a sermon and gets turned on, LOL.  I loved that scene.  I literally fell in love with Julia when she started talking about Grace and how she used to bake cookies and hug her every day.

When do you find time to write?

I have to squeeze in time when I'm not working.  It's tough.

What's your day job?

I work as a copywriter at an ad agency. I write TV and radio scripts, print ads, brochures and such.

How did you find the contest?

A friend told me about it. He read an article on the AP Newswire.

What are your plans after the contest?

Same as before I entered. Get an agent, find a publisher, keep writing.

What do you do when you're not writing?

I sing in a choir at church and play in the orchestra. I grew up singing and I still enjoy it.

What are your goals as a writer?

To have a career in publishing and be able to make a living at it.

Tell us something we don't know about you that we might find interesting?

I was a theatre major in college.

I want to thank all three of my authors for taking time out of their schedules,  and their obsession with the contest, to answer my questions.  I have shared three very different writers today, one who writes contemporary romance, one who classifies her writing as a 'coming of age' story, and one who writes inspirational romance.  All three are good writers and it is understandable why they are in the second round of the First Chapters Romance Contest.  All three were Editor's picks.

I hope you all have enjoyed the series, Meet The Authors.